Macbeth.
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies. Written at the turn of the 16th century, it is very much a play of its time. To truly appreciate this great play, one must understand a little about the context in which it was written. The Shakespearean world was a very different one to the world we live in now. An understanding and appreciation of this world will greatly enhance one’s experience of the play.
Politically, all power resided with the monarchy in Shakespeare’s time. Queen Elisabeth had been in power since 1558, and had transformed England into the most powerful nation in the world. Many attributed this wealth and power to the model of government used in the country - a benevolent but absolute monarchy. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth just as Queen Elisabeth’s reign was coming to an end. There was a lot of trepidation about how the new successor would manage the affairs of the realm.
The king’s power was not merely political. It was also predicated on religious beliefs. The monarch was regarded as god’s representative on earth. He or she was divinely chosen by god to rule over the people. This was a very important concept. This conferred great power upon the king (the people could not question the will of god), but with that power came great responsibility to govern that country in a benign way. It was not supposed to be a license for tyranny. The play ‘Macbeth’ examines the whole notion of kingship in intricate detail.
The play was, of course, written during the Renaissance. This was a time of conflicting world views. On the one hand, the barbarism of the middle ages still lingered in many cultures throughout Europe. There was still a war-like dimension to the nation’s psyche. At the same time, the new learning associated with the Renaissance was encouraging people to question the old belief systems, and to adopt a new humanist view of the world. Both of these traditions are present in Macbeth. The warrior spirit shines through in many characters and underpins the main plot of the play. At the same time, Shakespeare wanted to explore our humanity in a way that very few writers had done before that time. He explores various aspects of our humanity, including our hopes, fears, strengths, weaknesses, as well as what drives us to action.
Despite the new, enlightened spirit that characterized the Renaissance, that society still held fast to some very old and old-fashioned ideas. It was quite natural for people to believe in the supernatural. Consequently, one is not surprised when confronted by ghosts or witches in the play. Such beliefs sat side-by-side with religion quite comfortable in Shakespeare’s times. As well as this, the people of that time held very firm views of how the universe was structured. They subscribed to a hierarchy, or chain of being.
Politically, all power resided with the monarchy in Shakespeare’s time. Queen Elisabeth had been in power since 1558, and had transformed England into the most powerful nation in the world. Many attributed this wealth and power to the model of government used in the country - a benevolent but absolute monarchy. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth just as Queen Elisabeth’s reign was coming to an end. There was a lot of trepidation about how the new successor would manage the affairs of the realm.
The king’s power was not merely political. It was also predicated on religious beliefs. The monarch was regarded as god’s representative on earth. He or she was divinely chosen by god to rule over the people. This was a very important concept. This conferred great power upon the king (the people could not question the will of god), but with that power came great responsibility to govern that country in a benign way. It was not supposed to be a license for tyranny. The play ‘Macbeth’ examines the whole notion of kingship in intricate detail.
The play was, of course, written during the Renaissance. This was a time of conflicting world views. On the one hand, the barbarism of the middle ages still lingered in many cultures throughout Europe. There was still a war-like dimension to the nation’s psyche. At the same time, the new learning associated with the Renaissance was encouraging people to question the old belief systems, and to adopt a new humanist view of the world. Both of these traditions are present in Macbeth. The warrior spirit shines through in many characters and underpins the main plot of the play. At the same time, Shakespeare wanted to explore our humanity in a way that very few writers had done before that time. He explores various aspects of our humanity, including our hopes, fears, strengths, weaknesses, as well as what drives us to action.
Despite the new, enlightened spirit that characterized the Renaissance, that society still held fast to some very old and old-fashioned ideas. It was quite natural for people to believe in the supernatural. Consequently, one is not surprised when confronted by ghosts or witches in the play. Such beliefs sat side-by-side with religion quite comfortable in Shakespeare’s times. As well as this, the people of that time held very firm views of how the universe was structured. They subscribed to a hierarchy, or chain of being.
macbethbackgroundnotes.doc | |
File Size: | 26 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Macbeth: General Notes and Things to Learn
Plot:
Knowledge of key developments in the play including act, scene and individuals involved
Quotes
Soliloquies
Structure of the play
Classical structure
The tragedy of Macbeth
Concept of classical tragedy
Characters:
- Flawed humanity
- Warrior
- Redemption
- Weak, flawed
- “Dearest partner in greatness”
Themes/issues:
Good vs. evil
Sinning against god and nature
The play as a cruel spectacle of blood and gore
Kingship
Ambition/greed
Deception
The role of the supernatural in our lives
Fate/destiny
Power/tyranny
The play as an exploration of the darker aspects of our humanity
Symbolism, imagery and language in the play
Knowledge of key developments in the play including act, scene and individuals involved
Quotes
Soliloquies
Structure of the play
Classical structure
The tragedy of Macbeth
Concept of classical tragedy
Characters:
- Macbeth - Tragic hero
- Flawed humanity
- Warrior
- Redemption
- Lady Macbeth - Villain
- Weak, flawed
- “Dearest partner in greatness”
- Duncan - Gentle but flawed king
- Macduff - A noble thane
- Malcolm - Heir to the throne
- Banquo - Macbeth’s foil
- Witches - Representation of evil
Themes/issues:
Good vs. evil
Sinning against god and nature
The play as a cruel spectacle of blood and gore
Kingship
Ambition/greed
Deception
The role of the supernatural in our lives
Fate/destiny
Power/tyranny
The play as an exploration of the darker aspects of our humanity
Symbolism, imagery and language in the play
macbeth.doc | |
File Size: | 31 kb |
File Type: | doc |